Finger & Toe Joint Replacement

The hands and feet perform thousands of actions every day, and the multitude of joints located in the fingers and toes can be subject to overuse, arthritis, gout, and other conditions that can lead to significant pain and reduced functionality.

If you are experiencing discomfort, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and limited use of your hands or feet, or if you notice your knuckles becoming enlarged or crooked, our skilled orthopaedic specialists can offer you a variety of conservative treatment methods to help alleviate pain and improve your quality of life. If these approaches don’t offer relief, we also perform finger and toe joint replacement surgery utilizing some of the most advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques available combined with our rapid recovery program to help you lead the life you want to live.

If you have additional questions about finger and toe joint treatments and replacement, or if you wish to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced orthopaedic specialists, please contact us today.

Finger and Toe Treatments

At Towson Orthopaedic Specialists, we believe conservative, non-surgical options should always be utilized before undergoing more invasive operations. To this end, we will encourage you to try a series of non-invasive treatments first, such as physical therapy, stretching, prescription medication, and orthotics and braces, recommended based on your unique concerns and anatomic indications. These steps may help to alleviate your pain and/or reduce the need for surgical intervention. If after attempting conventional methods you find no improvement, we may advise you to undergo an arthroscopic joint replacement, which will replace your affected joints with metal and polyethylene (plastic) prostheses.

Finger and Toe Replacement Surgery

There are a multitude of joints found in the fingers, including the DIP, PIP, and MP joints. The DIP joint is located closest to the fingertip; the PIP joint is found closest to the knuckle, and the MP is the knuckle joint. Each of these joints can require singular treatment. For instance, the DIP joint rarely achieves the best outcome with a replacement, so we may recommend a fusion of the joint instead. Furthermore, treatment will also depend on the finger affected. The little and ring fingers allow you to firmly and fully grasp objects; therefore, the procedure utilized must help to ensure they can perform necessary tasks optimally.

As for the feet, toe joint replacement may be a preferred method over fusion, which typically reduces or eliminates mobility of the treated area. If you’re suffering from significant bone and cartilage damage, the joint will be removed and an artificial joint comprised of polyethylene (plastic) and metal will be used as a replacement.

Finger and Toe Replacement Recovery

Our experienced orthopaedic surgeons are extensively trained in minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques for small joint replacements, and this type of surgery typically will be performed as an outpatient procedure. As a result, you should be able to return home the same day as the operation. We also utilize a rapid recovery program featuring state-of-the art pain management techniques, and we believe these methods can enhance your comfort and help you heal more quickly. While everyone recovers at a different rate, we are committed to making this process as swift, safe, and effective as possible.

For more information about our small joint replacement techniques and treatments, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopaedic specialists, please contact our office today.